Yale refreshed your smart lock’s companion app with battery insights, more

Yale’s recent app update sets the user experience on par with using Google Home or ADT’s app to control your lock. It might even be a little easier.

Yale recently announced a set of updates for its standalone Yale Access app that aim at bettering the user experience. Yale has previously focused on collaborative experiences with other ecosystems to make home lock integration seamless. That includes the Nest x Yale lock it previously released, its successor, and its partnership with ADT to integrate the Assure Lock 2 Touch into the security company’s DIY plan.

Recent changes to the Yale app change things a little bit, and the Assure Lock 2 series has become a better product for it. The app feels smoother, and it just looks much better.

According to Yale, several updates are planned for 2026. The first one, which is currently live, brings battery insights, an enhanced app design, and an upgrade to Wi-Fi connectivity. I’ve been using the Assure Lock 2 with the new app for some of the more in-depth features you can’t get to with a connected smart home app, like Google Home.

For one, the battery insights page is a wonderful touch. Yale’s locks have great battery life, even with heavy traffic in and out of the house. An insights widget appears underneath the lock’s status. It holds some extra information on expansion, like an estimated drain period.

Deeper into the app, all of the important settings are easy to find. That includes home members, temporary access settings, and an activity page with logs of who has come and gone. Most of the app has been redesigned to bring a more modern feel. If that just means it’s easy to navigate and use, I’m all for it.

Yale says it’s also upgraded the Assure Lock 2 series with 5GHz Wi-Fi capability. The connection allows for faster and more reliable connections between the lock and Yale Access app, though 5GHz can prove a little more unstable at long range over 2.4GHz. The lock should switch bands depending on the connection status. I’ve not come into any issues with my connection since the update rolled out. Users will need to have the Wi-Fi module installed.

Overall, these are good changes. Will it stop me from using Google Home to lock and unlock the Assure Lock 2? No, but I doubt that’s Yale’s intention. It’s a granular app for users who need more information about their setup, and the entire app feels more intentional. It’s a good foundation for what have become excellent additions to the house.

Updates currently seem to center around the Assure Lock 2 series, which is available from Amazon for $279.

The Assure Lock 2 Touch is on sale for $169 at the time of writing.